Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Read full chapter

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty(A) correct him?(B)
    Let him who accuses God answer him!”(C)

Read full chapter

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Read full chapter

16 for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?”[a](A)

But we have the mind of Christ.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 2:16 Isaiah 40:13

14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

Read full chapter

14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,(A)
    or showed him the path of understanding?(B)

Read full chapter

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Read full chapter

34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”[a](A)
35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”[b](B)
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.(C)
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 11:34 Isaiah 40:13
  2. Romans 11:35 Job 41:11

13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

Read full chapter

13 Why do you complain to him(A)
    that he responds to no one’s words[a]?(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Job 33:13 Or that he does not answer for any of his actions

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Read full chapter

19 One of you will say to me:(A) “Then why does God still blame us?(B) For who is able to resist his will?”(C) 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?(D) “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,(E) ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[a](F) 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?(G)

22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience(H) the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?(I) 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory(J) known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory(K)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Romans 9:20 Isaiah 29:16; 45:9

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Read full chapter

11 When they received it, they began to grumble(A) against the landowner.

Read full chapter

What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

Read full chapter

“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

“‘The parents eat sour grapes,
    and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?(A)

Read full chapter

He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

Read full chapter

He who vindicates(A) me is near.(B)
    Who then will bring charges against me?(C)
    Let us face each other!(D)
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!

Read full chapter

Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

11 Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Read full chapter

“Woe to those who quarrel(A) with their Maker,(B)
    those who are nothing but potsherds(C)
    among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,(D)
    ‘What are you making?’(E)
Does your work say,
    ‘The potter has no hands’?(F)
10 Woe to the one who says to a father,
    ‘What have you begotten?’
or to a mother,
    ‘What have you brought to birth?’

11 “This is what the Lord says—
    the Holy One(G) of Israel, and its Maker:(H)
Concerning things to come,
    do you question me about my children,
    or give me orders about the work of my hands?(I)

Read full chapter

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

Read full chapter

“As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice,(A)
    the Almighty,(B) who has made my life bitter,(C)

Read full chapter

Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.

Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.

He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.

He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.

10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.

Read full chapter

then know that God has wronged me(A)
    and drawn his net(B) around me.(C)

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response;(D)
    though I call for help,(E) there is no justice.(F)
He has blocked my way so I cannot pass;(G)
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness.(H)
He has stripped(I) me of my honor(J)
    and removed the crown from my head.(K)
10 He tears me down(L) on every side till I am gone;
    he uproots my hope(M) like a tree.(N)
11 His anger(O) burns against me;
    he counts me among his enemies.(P)

Read full chapter

16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

Read full chapter

16 Surely then you will count my steps(A)
    but not keep track of my sin.(B)
17 My offenses will be sealed(C) up in a bag;(D)
    you will cover over my sin.(E)

Read full chapter